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Topics: News, US News, Sport, Basketball
Gerrard Kaonga
A lip reader has explained what they believe was said in a viral altercation that resulted in a basketball coach being fired.
Northville High School basketball coach Jim Zullo has been fired from the Michigan school after a video went viral showing him pulling the hair of one of his female players.
This incident took place on Friday (March 21), after the school lost to opponents La Fargeville 43-37 in the New York State Class D championship.
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The event was live streamed and viewers caught a glimpse of an altercation between Zullo and one of his players, Hailey Monroe.
Monroe can be seen tearful as the team await the other school being awarded their medals when Zullo pulls her ponytailed hair from behind and begins to berate her.
A fellow player, Ahmya Tompkins, attempts to intervene before Zullo snaps at her as well.
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Lip reader Nicola Hickling has since spoken to the Mail Online and revealed what she believes was said in this altercation.
When Tompkins intervened, Hickling claims she told the coach, 'Leave her. That's not okay.'
Zullo continued before Tompkins again said ‘no, leave her’.
An angry Zullo snaps back telling the player, ‘you shut it.’, according to Hickling.
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The footage quickly went viral on social media with many calling for the resignation of the coach.
Northville Central School District later confirmed that Zullo had been let go and would no longer be coaching the team.
In a statement, the district said: “The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game.
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“The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve. This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.”
Zullo has also issued an apology saying his actions were unacceptable and commended the women for their efforts.
In his statement, he said: “I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game.
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"I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community.
"As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry. I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family.
"I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well."